In our second article on the STS tech, we expressed our natural skepticism regarding AAE’s rather bold claims. One of the things Defense Review is skeptical about is how size effects the efficacy of the technology at close-to-relatively-close range (20-100 feet), assuming it works as advertised. For example, it’s one thing to…

conceal a small weaponized UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle)/robot at 20+ feet. However, concealing an Abrams M1A2 MBT (Main Battle Tank), Stryker APC/IFV (Armored Personnel Carrier/Infantry Fighting Vehicle), or M113 Vehicle at 20+ feet, one would think, would be something altogether different. That said, without having yet seen the technology work for ourselves (in-person or video demonstration), knowing how it works, or knowing anything, really, past AAE’s literature, any of our assumptions about STS in general or Stealth III in particular, at this point, are moot. We just don’t know. So, we’re making it a priority to either attend any future demonstration of the technology in-person, or obtain high-resolution video footage of the STS/Stealth III adaptive camo technology in action (i.e. in operation) in some type of realistic/combat-relevant situation/environment.

Having said all that, if Stealth III accomplishes everything the company claims that it does (read document linked-to below)–and that’s a big "if" at this point–it would most likely create a pardigm shift in both lethality and survivability in all environments (urban, desert, jungle, and arctic), and significantly affect U.S. infantry warfare methods, tactics, and strategy. The kind of capability that we’re talking about, if it’s real, would probably change the way infantry warfare is conducted, and could give our (U.S.) infantry forces (front-line vehicle crews and infantry warfighters) and and helicopters (attack, reconnaissance, and transport) a similar level of stealth advantage on the ground as we (the U.S.) currently enjoy in the air, due to aircraft like the Boeing B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, Lockheed-Martin F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter, and Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet.

Defense Review has received unconfirmed/unverified reports that several large defense and aerospace companies have expressed interest in the STS tech, and are currently in talks with AAE, but that no agreements (i.e. deals) have been struck yet. It will be interesting to see where the technology ends up. DefRev must admit that we’d really like to see an Abrams MBT, Stryker IFV, or M113 Vehicle disappear before our very eyes at 20-100 ft. distance. Now, that would be interesting.

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.